snapped shot - Protests

This Is Real Picture

nospam@example.com (Brian C. Ledbetter) — Mon, 05 May 2008 10:54:00 -0500

It's an AP Photo, so I can't show you the full thing. I'm kinda hoping that I can show you a heavily-cropped version, though. From the continued anti-Danish outrage in Pakistan, we learn what a real picture of Denmark looks like:

The resemblance is striking, ain't it?

Orig: A supporter of a radical Islamic group shouts slogans during a rally against an anti-Quran film made by a Dutch lawmaker and the Danish government for the republication in Danish newspapers of cartoons depicting Islam's Prophet Muhammad, Saturday, May 3, 2008 in Karachi, Pakistan. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)

Priceless, as always. For those of you who are still keeping count, this makes for roughly three months of continual anti-Danish outrage in Pakistan.

Don't they have anything more constructive to do with their time over there?

If you're in the mood for some excellent Rage Runners-Up, be sure to keep reading beyond the fold!
Continue reading "This Is Real Picture"

Good Job: Amazingly Accurate Caption

nospam@example.com (Brian C. Ledbetter) — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:32:00 -0500

I've complained in the past of news agencies that use emotionally-loaded, inaccurate adjectives to describe groups which are unpopular in the newsroom. You know them when you see them:—Captions decry "right-wing" protests, "extremist" groups, and other traditional leftist boogaboos.

I must say, though, this is the first time I can recall reading a caption that uses the same loaded terminology against a leftist group—and I must say, it certainly is a good start, especially considering that Reuters has missed this adjective before:

A member of Neturei Karta, a fringe ultra-Orthodox movement within the anti-Zionist bloc, holds a placard during a protest in Jerusalem as a two-minute siren is sounded bringing Israel to a standstill to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day, May 1, 2008. Israel on Thursday marked the annual memorial day commemorating the six million Jews killed by the Nazis in the Holocaust during World War Two. The placard reads in Hebrew "Expulsion of the Zionist idea from the world is rescue from Shoah number 2." REUTERS/Mahfouz Abu Turk (JERUSALEM)

Neturei Karta, to those of you who might not be familiar, is a group of Orthodox Jews that regularly protest the Israeli state. And boy, do they get around—They've spoken at a "Holocaust investigation" conference in Iran, they've picketed the United Nations, they've savaged the Annapolis Conference (perhaps the only time that they and I have ever been on the same page).

Yet in all of the times I've seen them on the wires, they never number more than a dozen, paid to travel all over the world whenever someone needs a "credible" anti-Israeli face. And in all of this time, groups of thousands of people protesting the planned division of Jerusalem are derided as being "right-wing" (Oo! Scary!) by the press.

That's right—Thousands who hold an opinion different than the editorial desk were fringe. A dozen who aligned more closely with traditional Leftist talking points? Merely "ultra-Orthodox."

I'm very happy to see Reuters is finally starting to change course on the distinction! (Even if I did just notice it now... )

Self Defense = Terrorism

nospam@example.com (DMartyr) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 11:00:18 -0500

According to supporters of Hamas, self-defense is terrorism. Stopping missile barrages aimed at innocent civilians is terrorism. Blocking Palestinian snipers from shooting at Israeli owned vehicles is terrorism. Stopping the flow of suicide bombers by establishing checkpoints is terrorism.

From the picture caption:

Women Hamas supporters carry placards with Arabic words that reads 'The siege is terrorist,' during a protest against the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Sunday April 20, 2008.

Everyone and anyone who refuses to convert, submit, or die is a terrorist.

Update [Brian]: Fixed the Yahoo! link for ya.

Good Luck Swastika?

nospam@example.com (Brian C. Ledbetter) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:24:25 -0500

One runs across some of the strangest things when browsing through the day's news photographs. Consider this photograph, for instance, which was taken during a pro-Tibetan protest in New Delhi from today. Pay particular attention to the left-hand side of the frame.

Could this be a rare usage of the good luck swastika? Or is there something else going on here?

As usual, you're welcome to sound off in the comments with your theories. I'm as perplexed as you are!

An Asult to Reason

nospam@example.com (Brian C. Ledbetter) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 07:29:38 -0500

I can say with the utmost confidence that my English spidey-senses are insulted by this sign.

Wait... or maybe they're assaulted by it?

Either way, I think you get the point. Malaysia has now joined the anti-Fitna ragefest. I'll be tracking the wires to see if the fires continue to spread on this happy Friday, the traditional day of rage.

Update: I'm extremely asult, even.

Incidentally, Geert Wilders has apparently made some new friends in India as well. Anyone remember to bring the Grey Poupon?

Update again: Wildersitis has spread to Turkey.

Things That Offend Muslims

nospam@example.com (DMartyr) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:51:50 -0500

As a public service announcement, I thought I'd educate our readers on a few things they should avoid so as not to offend our Muslim friends.

The Amboy Times blog brings us a work in progress (about people in regress):

Things That Offend Muslims

Proper Rage Targeting

nospam@example.com (Brian C. Ledbetter) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:00:36 -0500

Here's a helpful primer for those of you who are looking to start a periodic roving Rage riot—When selecting a target for your scorn and effigy burnination, make sure you pick someone who is against you. Picking someone who's openly apologetic to your cause isn't likely to earn you any brownie points in Rageland. From the caption:

Pakistani protesters burn an effigy of Dutch leader in Hyderabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, during a rally protesting a recent Dutch film that portrays Islam as a ticking time bomb aimed at the West. (AP Photo/Pervez Masih)